The 'Kainai Nation' (or Káínawa, or Blood Tribe) is a
First Nation in southern
Alberta,
Canada with a population of 7,437 members in 2005
[1]. They are part of the ''Niitsítapi'' ([
Blackfoot Confederacy of the] Original People).
[2]
''Akáínaa'' translates directly to "Many Chief" (from ''aká'' - "many" and ''nínaa'' - "chief") while '''Káína''' translates directly to "Many Chief people." The common English name for the tribe is the "Blood tribe."
At the time treaties such as
Treaty 7 were signed, the Kainai were situated on the
Oldman,
Belly, and
St. Mary rivers west of
Lethbridge,
Alberta. The Kainai
reserve Blood 148 is currently the largest in
Canada with 3,852 inhabitants
[3] on 1,414.03km² and is located approximately 200 kilometres south of
Calgary.
Government
The Kainai Nation is governed by an elected council of twelve to fifteen, with one chief. The term of office is four years. Historical chiefs of the Kainai are below:
★ Last of the Hereditary Chiefs
Traditional Chief JIm Shot Both Sides (1956-1980)
★ Chief
Roy Fox (1980-1996)
★ Chief
Chris Shade (1996-2004)
★ Chief
Charles Weasel Head (2004-present)
References
1. Alberta Municipal Affairs - 2005 Official Population list - Indian Registered Population. December 2005. Retrieved on 24 September 2006.
2. Blood Indians - Catholic Encyclopedia article
3. Statistics Canada - 2001 Census Aboriginal Population Profile
External links
★
Introduction to photo essay from 'Nitsitapiisinni: Our Way of Life' museum exhibit
★
Concise description of the Blackfoot tribes
★
Blood Tribe Information Web
★
Watch ''Circle of the Sun'', a 1961 documentary on the Blood Tribe
★
Brief biography of former chief Roy Fox.